Disable Smilies in This Post. Show Signature: include your profile signature. Only registered users may have signatures.

*If HTML and/or UBB Code are enabled, this means you can use HTML and/or UBB Code in your message.

If you have previously registered, but forgotten your password, click here.

T O P I C R E V I E W

Nigel Mc

So, this is to try and bring Apollo 16 and shuttle program astronaut Ken Mattingly to the UK for a lecture evening.

First of all, Ken Mattingly is NOT currently scheduled to appear, this is to raise the funds to secure him for the event. Should Mr. Mattingly not attend, all monies will be refunded. This is in line with the law and the only person that can lose money on this is myself.

I have been in contact with Mr. Mattingly's agent and should we be able to raise the amount, we should be able to secure him for a date sometime around August 2013.

The event would be in Sheffield, only around two hours from most major cities. Should all be well, the event would be at Sheffield Hallam University.

I run a space lecture evening called "Something Astronomical," this event would be part of that. It is a very successful event and this event is part of the expansion of Something Astronomical.

As you may know, I recently tried to do this without committing to an astronaut name. However, I had loads of people say they would pledge if they knew the name. So, in cooperation with Mr. Mattingly's agent, we worked out a plan.

Also, before anyone mentions it. I cannot confirm if Mr. Mattingly will sign autographs. This can only be confirmed after securing him.

The figure is high, but hopefully, and with a little luck, enough people will be interested in this event. If you cannot make the event, but wish to support the event, there are rewards starting at £1. I really hope we can do this. Thanks. — Nigel K McEnaney

Nigel Mc

Lots of interest, but unfortunately only one pledge so far, so I just wanted to say, Obviously funds are tight at xmas. But no money will be collected for quite a while yet. You would be just pledging to buy your ticket or more.

Thanks everyone.

mjanovec

I think the Kickstarter campaign for this really needs to be re-examined. Even if you sell EVERY package in the £65-£200 range, you'll only end up with £34,000...which is still £9,000 short of your goal. You would then need to find at least 5 donors in the top (£2000) category (since it's pretty doubtful you'd get enough supporters in the £1-£10 categories to make up the difference).

Considering the recent failure to secure enough interest to bring Harrison Schmitt to the UK, your odds of success seem to be extremely remote.

I would be pleasantly surprised if I could be proven wrong, however.

Nigel Mc

The odds are low yes, but would you prefer low chance or no chance?

I have had more offers than the ones appearing on Kickstarter from people wanting more details before doing it, I have had more offers of £1000+ than I have of £65-£200.

I am not a rich man, but still want more of these events here, I would gladly listen to any other ideas, but this is the only way I could figure to even attempt to raise this much.

Even if it does fail, I tried and that's all I can do.

Tykeanaut

I could be stating the obvious here, but I assume you have explored sponsorship from "big business" in Sheffield?

Apollo14LMP

Pity that the fees are so high...

I would gladly have gone to the moon and talked to everyone about it for the rest of my days free of charge, that is just me however. I may have started to charge for autographs after 40 odd years of signing though...

I personally would pay £30 for a ticket (max). None of these guys are young men now however and I cannot blame them for getting less tolerant of travelling US-UK, perhaps.

Good effort. I do hope this works out for you and I will be able to afford to attend.

Blackarrow

I would still like to know when in August this event is likely to take place. I'm sure I'm not alone in being unwilling to pledge money to attend an event which may take place when my wife and I are away on holiday. I have some flexibility at the moment, but in the next 6 weeks or so I will be booking our holidays, and once that's done you can bring every surviving Apollo astronaut to England for all the good it will do me if it happens while we're away.

topmiler

I'm in the same boat. A date will be the decider.

Tykeanaut

I guess this all seems rather negative Nigel but a date is needed if people are to pledge money.

Rick Mulheirn

I hope Nigel does not mind my sharing "end of August" as the time frame indicated to me.

robert_l

I would also need to know the date as would need to put in for holidays from work, etc.

Nigel Mc

Sorry just back from Xmas.

Yes the end of August is the best I can do right now. The Date can't be known until after.

However, if for some reason the date was not good for anyone - Their money would be refunded - NO QUESTIONS. It has to be by Kickstarter rules.

If everyone who is interested could please pledge anyway, if the funding is not successful your money won't go anywhere but it may help inspire more pledges.